Lots of happy engineers? National survey puts Huntsville at top of the list for employee engagement

Huntsville is best known for rockets, military and an abundance of engineers. A new survey shows it is also a place filled with some pretty happy workers.

A new survey by Quantum Workplace has Huntsville ranked as the top in the country for employee recognition. The company looked at surveys from nearly 5,000 organizations and 400,000 employees that take part in the Best Places to Work program to determine where employees were most satisfied with the recognition they receive.

That sort of recognition includes things such as pay increases, access to new learning or training, time off or praise from senior leadership.

Seventy-three percent workers polled in Huntsville said they were satisfied with the amount of recognition they receive.

The remainder of the top 10 are:

No. 2 - Nashville, Tennessee

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 69 percent

No. 3 - Austin, Texas

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 68 percent

No. 4 - San Antonio, Texas

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 68 percent

No. 5 - Washington, D.C.

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 68 percent

No. 6 - Atlanta, Georgia

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 67 percent

No. 7 - Charlotte, North Carolina

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 67 percent

No. 8 - Orlando, Florida

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 67 percent

No. 9 - Raleigh, North Carolina

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 67 percent

No. 10 - Tampa, Florida

Percent of Satisfied Employees: 67 percent

Overall, employees said pay raises were the best way to recognize work. That was followed by training opportunities, time flexibility, bonuses and promotions.

Managers should skip plaques or other company-branded merchandise, however. Those were rated least desirable among employees, with less than 5 percent saying those were important to them.